When it comes to traveling to Shanghai, what do you think of first? The Bund, Financial Building, Oriental Pearl and other popular attractions?

I believe that now everyone is not willing to take photos and check in like ordinary tourists. If we shift our attention from looking up at high-rise buildings to the daily market, we will discover some different urban alternative experiences in Shanghai.

Today, I recommend a few good places to discover the artistic and historical charm of the city. Whether you are here for the first time or the local Shanghai-Ning, you may be able to gain something.

Donghai Cafe: Shanghai's first cafe

Donghai Cafe opened in 1934, and many people call it "Shanghai's first coffee shop." The store at that time was located on the bustling Nanjing East Road, which was also the most fashionable dating destination in Shanghai Beach at that time. If you interview a few local Shanghai uncles and aunts on the street, many of them might have dated here!

In 2007, Donghai Cafe closed its doors due to street adjustments, and only reopened this year after 12 years. The cafe has now been relocated to Dianchi Road not far away. The building itself is the Shanghai Paper Products Factory No. 2 with a history of more than 100 years. Compared with its former prosperity, Dianchi Street and buildings now seem to be more in line with the temperament of Donghai Cafe.

Pushing the door and entering, you will find mahogany furniture, record players, French chandeliers, embossed coffee cups, glass screens... The renovated cafe is filled with the elegance and romance of the Republic of China.

Decades ago, hand-brewed coffee, lemon climbing, borscht, German pig's fingers and other delicacies here were unforgettable, and the prices were also very close to the people. Now the cafe continues the classic dishes of the year, but the prices are still not expensive.

The store's signature hand-brewed coffee is worth a try, and it still retains the tradition of making coffee freshly by hand with a siphon pot. The small pot of coffee is stronger than the espresso brewed by the machine, and the embossed coffee cup is also a classic.

Because Donghai Cafe belongs to the name of Dada Western Cuisine Club, the desserts in the store still retain the flavor of many Shanghainese people's childhood, especially Lemon Pan, which is one of the most "old" western cakes in Shanghai!

Nowadays, most of the customers in the store are uncles and aunts. They make appointments with former friends to order a cup of coffee and reminisce about the past. They also have a unique taste. Although Shanghai Internet celebrity cafes are changing with each passing day, they seem to have more flavor in such an environment.

Address: No. 110 Dianchi Road (Exit 6 of Nanjing East Road Subway Station)

The press: A renovated cafe at Centenary Declaration Hall

Speaking of this restaurant, I have to talk about the building it is located in, the Declaration Hall.

Shenbao, it was founded in the late Qing Dynasty and has gone through three eras: the late Qing Dynasty, the Beiyang Dynasty and the Republic of China. This newspaper building built in 1918 has witnessed countless historical changes.

In 2014, a group of Fudan alumni jointly established the The Press cafe, which was officially opened to the public on April 30, 2015. It was also 143 years ago that the inaugural issue of "Shen Bao", founded by the British, was published.

Walking into the store, the most eye-catching thing is the dome with a high space, which retains the original white European carvings, holy and elegant. Old photos and newspaper materials collected can be seen everywhere in the store, carefully collected with photo frames and hung neatly on the wall.

It is said that the store not only collects the original newspapers and periodicals from the year of application, but also collects the original newspapers and periodicals such as the Financial Times and the Times. It can be called a mini newspaper museum.

The best photo resort in the store is the window seat under this wall. Sitting under the retro photo wall, with blue corner sofas, and busy crowds on the street outside the floor-to-ceiling window, a casual photo will make a retro blockbuster.

In addition to the historical building, the meals here are not disappointing, and even the menu is very design. Here, you can have a brunch with friends and order a cup of coffee. You will definitely be able to taste the nostalgic and retro flavor, which is not comparable to other cafes.

Address: No. 309 Hankou Road

Mingge: One of the best Cantonese dishes in Shanghai

If you like to eat Cantonese food, Namingge is definitely a must-miss restaurant. The restaurant is based on Hong Kong-style Cantonese cuisine and combines some Shanghai elements.

I have been to the Mingge many times, and I have also seen its popularity become more and more famous in the past two years and is liked by more and more diners. From the Black Pearl Diamond to winning one Michelin star this year, I believe this is the best reason to go.

Mingge is located on the first floor of the Cordis Hotel Hongqiao. The interior decoration is inspired by the "Ten Miles of Foreign Markets" of the 1930s old Shanghai. The style of old Shanghai is fully displayed.

The dishes at its home almost don't touch thunder. For example, when you go for the first time, you can try the truffle and cow gift box, the Dragon Emperor in Golden Armor, and the crispy fried chicken. Each of them is a signature dish and delicious!

It is worth mentioning that their dishes do not add MSG, but even so, every dish is still full of delicious flavor! Chef Su Weiqing, who has 26 years of experience in Chinese cuisine, and his team can always surprise diners in the details, just like the most ordinary plate of stir-fried vegetables, you can feel the skills of the heat right in the mouth.

The restaurant has about 600 yuan per person. If you want to eat more affordable, you can consider coming at noon. For classic Cantonese dim sum, the cheapest one is only 38 yuan, which is a very people-friendly price.

Address: Floor B1, Shanghai Hongqiao Cordis Hotel, No. 333 Shenhong Road, Minhang District

Oil Tank Art Park: A new autumn photo resort

Oil Tank Art Center is a new autumn photo resort in Shanghai, but not many people know about it so far.

The main body of the Oil Tank Art Park is five huge white cylinders, formerly aviation storage tanks, and belongs to Shanghai Longhua Airport, the earliest airport built in China. Later, under the planning of Mr. Qiao Zhibing, a contemporary art collector, the former Longhua Airport was transformed into the Shanghai Oil Tank Art Center we see now!

The oil tank itself is huge and has a hollow interior. It is currently being renovated and will be used as a Live House for entertainment performances, a theme restaurant, and an exhibition hall for large art installations in the future.

At present, the surrounding reeds and dogtail grass are beginning to turn yellow. On sunny days, you can take a large piece of it with a casual pat, and there is no need to revise the picture at all!

Not many people know about it at present, and it is expected that the popularity here will become more and more popular as the activities increase, so while there are basically no people here now, hurry up and check in!

Transportation: Metro Line 11 Yunjin Road Station

long Museum

Long Art Museum is one of the few private art museums in China, but it is also the largest private art museum in China with the largest scale and collection strength. The works on display are all very valuable. It has two pavilions, one in Pudong New District and the other in the West Bank Pavilion.

Personally, I also recommend the West Bank Pavilion. It used to be a coal transportation terminal, and the current building also retains part of the coal hopper unloading bridge. The main building is characterized by a unique "umbrella arch" structure, with a rational and calm sense of industry and originality as the main theme., the concrete exterior wall is mostly composed of simple lines, with a strong sense of modern art and a very shocking appearance.

In addition to the architecture itself, excellent exhibitions are also worth visiting. Currently, Sang Huoyao's iconography and Zhou Chunya's Southeast Shaping and other works are on display. Everyone can pay attention to the official WeChat signal to learn about the latest exhibition situation. I like the interior design and lighting very much. As long as the composition is correct, people with disabled hands can take beautiful photos.

In addition to the exhibition hall, there are also art bookstores, Dragon Cafe, etc. around, where you can stay for most of the day. The cafe is located next to the Long Art Museum. The interior design is in a strong industrial style, with cement walls and curved floor-to-ceiling windows. The background wall and tables and chairs are all made of logs. It is a good place to go after you are tired of shopping.

Address: No. 3398 Longteng Avenue

Cordis Shanghai Hongqiao: A hotel with excellent transportation

There are many five-star hotels in Shanghai, and they have opened like bamboo shoots after rain in the past two years. Choosing a satisfactory hotel is indeed a headache. But if you want a hotel that is convenient for travel and comfortable in an environment, I would not hesitate to recommend the Cordis Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel.

It is no exaggeration to say that the hotel is convenient. It is a 5-minute walk from the hotel along the overpass or indoor walkway to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Metro Lines 2 and 10; it is only a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Behind the hotel is the Hongqiao Tiandi Commercial District, where you can handle eating, drinking and entertainment. You can also check in and check in directly in the mall. You can take the shuttle bus directly to Hongqiao International Airport.

Let's talk about the hotel rooms. Each room is equipped with a whole wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. The room I stayed in this time even had two floor-to-ceiling windows. The moment I entered the door, the curtains automatically opened, and the window was facing Hongqiao Railway Station.

Moving into the bathroom, the bathtub is also equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, especially when you soak in the bathtub here and enjoy the night view at night, which is unique. The floor height of the room gives the comfort of the extra space, while looking out the window, you can have a larger and broader view and the view of the Hongqiao business district.

Personally, I like the iconic fragrance of the Cordis Hotel. All the hotel's toiletries contain this fragrance. They are specially customized by fragrance master Christophe Laudamiel. They blend the aroma of orange, grapefruit and lemon, making people very relaxed. I couldn't help but sweep all the unused spare parts home.

Finally, I would like to give everyone a look at the 12th Party Bar located on the top floor of the hotel. The bar has an excellent view and is a wonderful place to watch the night view of the Dahongqiao business district. However, it is not just a bar, because it has been given a new definition, that is, a new space for performing arts.

From time to time, the Condos Hotel Hongqiao cooperates with the Gold Medal Drama Club to move classic dramas to the bar. We can watch drama performances while drinking. Here we can get close contact with drama actors and even interact with each other, just like watching an immersive performance, which is something that no other bar can experience!

It is autumn now, so why not take advantage of the crisp autumn weather to take a trip to Shanghai with unconventional literature and art!